davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Portland daily press., 1887-10-15
DoIngs of the Knights.

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn., Oct. 14.-A consid-
erable portion of the morning session of the
Knights of Labor was occupied in discuss
ing proposition to strike out that portion
of the constitution which gives the general
executive board power to submit constitu-
tiOnal amendment to the local assemblies at
any time, and to declare it adopted on ma
jority vote. 1t was met by an amendment
that the executive board be without power
to act until asked by five district assemblies.
The amendment prevailed.
An amendment TO the constitution author
lzing the establishing of trade councils in
local assemblies was rejected on the ground
that the assemblies have already all the
power In this direction consistent with dis
cipline. The rule giving permission to dis
trlct or national trades councils to regulate
the time of the delivery of charters to newly
organized local assemblies, was adopted.
The details Of Thursdays secret session Of
the knights Assembly have leaked out.
When the committee on boycotts introduced
resolution commencing the action of Mas
ter Workman Powderly and the executive
board in declaring the big Chicago stock
yards strike off, it was antagoniZed with a
resolution of lcensure by the delegates Of
District Assemblies "a and 81 of Chicago.
Fierce speeches were made denounciDg Pow
derly and his associates for interference, and
stating that L. b. Barry alone treated the
matter fairly.
Mr.. Barry was called on for statement
and said that he thought the Chicago strikers
would have won If they had been left alone.
Then Powderly reviewed the matter from
the beginning to the end, assuming all the
blame, IL any existed, himself, and the COM
mittee'S resolution passed, 116 to 49,
The Portland daily press., 1887-10-15
granted until 10 O'Clock on Saturday, the 22d

granted until 10 o'clock on Saturday, the 99d
instant.
Hon. Josiah Crosby, who appeared for
stain, and M. Sprague, Esq, for Cromwell
did not oppose the motion and it was readily
granted by the court A. NJ. Goddard, Esq,
of Augusta, and Thomas b. Pierce, ESQ. of
Dexter. appeared as counsel for the State
Much excitement prevails and opinion as
to the outcome is divided, as might be ex-
pected The officers who have looked nm
the case profess to have abundant evidence,
1t is understood thatthe prisoners rely on an
alibi for defence.
Mr.. Henry u. Wood, who was postmaster
in Dexter at the time of the murder. and
was at work in the distributing room di
rectly beneath the bank, states that he does
not believe the story at all. Nothing can
convince him that he would not have heard
some noise of the scuffie the dropping of the
body to the floor, or the fall of the hod of
coal. but he did not hear a sound His story
OF the discovery of Cashier Barron's BODY IS
quite dramatic.
one of the witnesses Of whom the officers
have great hopes is a Mrs. Kate Russell On
the afternoon of the murder she saw two men
come ont of the bank building. 90 into the
middle of the streettand then walk very ran
idly away 1t is considered very doubtful.
however whether she can identify the men
she saw but for a moment, and then only no.
ticed casually, after all these years, and it is
more than doubtful whether such an identi
fication, if made, would have much weight
with either judge or jury.
Coming down on the train from Boston
yesterday reporter SAID TO Cromwell: IF
as you say you were not in Dexter at the
time of the murder, you can perhaps tell
where you were and can give the names of
some people who you saw.
AT this suggestion Cromwell remained
quiet for some moments, as though going
back mentally over the list of those who
could tell where he svas. Al length he said
."Well think my wife could swear that
was at home in Massachusetts.
Being pressed for the names Of some 9TH
ers he said that it was a long time ago, and
perhaps they could not remember. Not
withstanding repeated urging, he failed to
produce single name. Cromwell says he is
graduate of Brown University.
The Portland daily press., 1887-10-15
STAIN IN AUBURN.
Sentenced to State Prison to Serve
for One Year.

LEWISTON, Oct 14.-Charles f. Stain came
to Auburn in 1881, shortly after his marriage.
On credit he purchased furniture and car
pets from L. l.. Blake, the Bishop street
dealer in Lewiston. His bill there was about
$40. When the rent came due Stain was un-
able top ay and vacated the premises.
Meanwhile, he had mortgaged his chamber
set to a sewing machine agent for $12, part
payment for machine. The agent was in
Boston when the Stains changed their house.
hold plans, and so Mr.. Stain made an ar
rangement with Mr.. Allen, the second hand
store proprietor, to buy the chamber set.
Mr.. Allen had entered into peaceful pos
session of his chamber set,and then Stain de-
parted from Auburn. The sewing machine
agent placed his mortgage in the hands of
Judge Savage, who collected it of Mr.. Allen.
Mr. Allen consulted MIR. Blake, but that gen.
tleman declined to prosecute, so Mr.. Allen
went it alone and had Stain arrested in Saco,
where officer Maxwell found him working in
harness shop, under an alias, while his wife
was employed in the MILL
Allen hunted up all the evidence he could
find with regard to Stains character and ar
raigned himsbefore Judge Dresser. Stain de-
clined counsel When he was asked to plead,
he turned to Mr.. Allen and whispered,
"What shall say?" Mr.. Allen told him to
do what he thought best, and after a mo-
ment's hesitation Stain pleaded not guilty.
While Judge Dresser was drawing the writ,
the prisoner suddenly spoke up and said
as it too late to change that now?"
NO"
"Then wish you would change 1t right
over and make it guilty"
He was tried before the upper court and
sentenced to year in State Prison.
The Portland daily press., 1887-10-15
ASKING FOR JUDGMENT.
Senator Sawyer Demands Action In
the Alleged Bribery Case.

CONCORD. Oct. 14-The Senate this fore
noon passed a bill authorizing the Boston &
Maine railroad to guarantee the covenant of
the Boston & Lowell road in its lease of the
Northern railroad and ratifying the lease of
the Manchester & Lawrence to the Boston &
Maine for fifty years. The Hazen bill has
been engrossed and is now in the possession
Of the joint committee on engrossed bills.
Governor Sawyer is going out of town today,
and the bill will probably not reach him until
next week.
s. tor Sawyer. speaking on a question of
privilege in the Senate, protested against the
action of the Senate in tabling both the ma
jority and minority reports Of the committee
that Investigated his charges of bribery,
claiming that such action was without par
liamentary precedent, and demanded that
one or the other Of the reports be taken from
the table and adopted. His honor, he said,
was at stake. and he had right to demand
that his character should either be vindicated
or blackened by some positive action on the
part of the Senate.
The Portland daily press., 1887-10-15
OTHER GRIMES.
The Gang Reported to Have Robbed
Winthrop Bank.

lSpeclalt0 the Press.
DEXTER, Oct. 14.-Denouement following
denouement is the order in the famous Bar
ron case. The latest sensation is just out,
and is more marvellous than any of the pre-
vious stories, if anything The officers now
claim that they have man at some point in
Massachusetts who will testify to overhear-
ing a conversation between Stain and the
remainder of the gang, in which they dis
cussed the various robberies in which they
had been engaged, and it was learned that
they were the perpetrators of the Winthrop
bank robbery, the Dexter bank robbery, and
the Dexter express robbery. which occurred
only a few days previous to the Barron affair.
This man, tits represented, will swear to what
he heard if he is positive that Stain will be
convicted and placed where he can do him
no injury, for he would be afraid of his life
Mitchell has also found man in Dexter
who Identifies Stain positively by his eyes.
having seen him in Dexter the night of the
robbery.
The Portland daily press., 1887-10-15
WHAT ANDREWS SAYS.
The Story of a Man Suspected Nine
Years Ago.

BANGOR, Oct. 14.-Andrews, the man ar
rested here for completely in the Dexter bank
robbery, has made the following statement
to reporter: ''At the time of the Dexter
affair, 1 was, and had been for some time,
connected with mercantile agency. did
have man named Kelley, not Keely, as the
papers say, under me, and man named
Thompson, but Kelley was up at Houlton at
that time, and Thompson was down below
Wateryille. To tell you the truth, they were
hard nuts, but they didn't have a hand in
this racket. / never had an Office in Dexter,
as the papers say, but l used to loaf in
Sprague's office. You ask Sprague when
you get up to Dexter, and he will tell you all
about me F; ask the president of the bank
there and he will tell you the same. / have
lived here in Bangor, now nine years, all the
time In one place, and l tell you if was such
a fellow as am represented to be- should
have been fired out of that place, long ago.
There had been story going about the
street all day, the effect that Andrews had
two sons, who sent him check at stated in
tervals, and that the men Kelley and ThOmp
son, were those sons, travelling under as
sumed names, but Andrews said there was
not a word of truth in it. Certain il is, that
he has always lived well, dressed well, and
has had little or no employment. He lives
alone, and for years has boarded at la good
saloon. He has many acquaintances, can
tell a good story, plays good game of whist
but seldom CANDLES. 1t is almost the uni
versal opinion of those who know him best,
that he has told the truth ON former occa-
sions, when charged with being party to
the Dexter murder, and that he is innocent
of all knowledge of the affair. There are a
few. however, however. who call attention
to his mode of living, to the easy time he
has, to his dress, and then ask how it is that
he gets along so well.
Mr.. G. w. Merrill who was a member of
the firm of Shaw & Merrill thirty-two years
ago, where Cromwell says he was employed,
has no recollection of such man, nor does he
know the man Fogg, whom Cromwell claimed
to know.
The Portland daily press., 1887-10-15
FIRE OR EARTHQUAKE.
Telegraph Communication with
Charleston Suddenly Stopped.
a Big Blaze In the Suburbs the
Probable Cause,
But Slight Shock Reported from
St. Stephen.

WASHINGTON, Oct. 15.-All the telegraph
wires leading into Charleston. S. c., were
interrupted suddenly at 1855 a. IN, and re-
mained so up to this writing G.30 a. m) No
earthquake symptoms were developed at Au-
gusta or Savannah, which are the nearest
points to Charleston, with communication
open. Train men who arrive at Augusta
from Charleston tonight report high wind
blowing yesterday afternoon with indica
tions of cyclone. They also report large
fire raging at Magnolia, suburb of Charles
ton.
WASHINGTON, Oct Is, 2.35 a. NIT isnow
learned that the Western Union wires at
Charleston are so arranged that large fire
among the extensive phosphate factories at
Magnolia might cut Charleston off for time.
Such fire is reported by the railroad men
who left yesterday afternoon.
NEW YORK, Oct 15.-St. Stephen, S. c.,
40 miles from Charleston, reports that a
slight shock Of earthquake was felt there.
The Portland daily press., 1887-10-15
WORKING UP THE CASE.
A Mixture of journalistic Enterprise
and Detective skill.

DEXTER. Oct. 14.-Deputy Sheriff Mitch
ell has told how Merrill Goddard of the New
York World, got hold of the story of young
Stains confession. 1t appears that through
his brother in Augusta, Goddard got an ink
ling of the 'lay'' of Mitchell, and went to
him for news. Mitchell was amazed to find
that the secret was out, and was obliged to
strike bargain that the World should have
the first news, providing nothing was pub
lished until he, Mitchell, gave the word.
This agreement was faithfully kept, al
though as will be seen, the editor of the
World nearly gave the thing away. The
two worked for months, and in the mean
time, young Stain and Goddard visited New
York, and in the World office, surrounded
by several reporters, young Stain made the
confession. Stain was considerably excited,
and Mr. Mitchell desires it to be said that
the statements published by that paper re-
garding the several visits are not correct.
The accounts of the first two trips are fairly
right, but the the third is all wrong.
When the time came to act, Goddard and
Mitchell went to Boston, took rooms at the
Sherman House, where arrangements were
made with State detectives to assist.
In the meantime, the World was clamor-
ing for the arrest, declaring they should pub
lish what they knew on the following day.
lnis was Monday last 6ouuaru, IN despair,
told Mitchell that he could not hold the
World longer, as that paper feared some
rival would get ahead of them, whereupon
Mitchell wired the World that publication
theD, would give the criminals chance to
escape, and excite the indignation of the
people generally.
Finally the World agreed to withhold un-
til Wednesday, providing the arrest should
be made after o'clock Wednesday after
noon. This was agreed to. and Wednesday
evening the World published just enough to
create excitement.
When the time came the arrest was made
| as has been stated. The reason that the
men came so readily was because they had
rather 60 without requisition papers, than
enter Dedham Jail in Massachusetts, where
they had been before, and where much of
| evil about them was known.
The Portland daily press., 1887-10-15
congregational Exercises.

The autumn meeting of the Cumberland
North Conference of Congregational
churches will be held at Brunswick Tuesday
and Wednesday, October 18th and 10Th. The
order of exercises is as follows:
Tuesday-9.30 a. m, devotional; 10 a. m, or
ganiZaion and business; 10.3u a. m, confere
sermon; p. M, devotional; 2.3O p. m discus
sion, The Influence of Christianity upon the Re
laiiOn OF Employers and W0rkmen to Each
Other; p. m. women's meeting in the interest
discussion, christian Unity and Church Onion"
Wednesday, a. M, prayer meetlng a. M,
devotional; $50 a. m, business; 10 a. M, dis
cussion, scripture: 1, Fidelity to its Meaning
2, Appropriateness in its use" p. M, business
2.30, sermon and Lords Supper.
Tickets can be obtained at one fare for the
round trip on the Grand Trunk and Maine
Central railroads. Each church Is entitled
to representation by pastor, two delegates
and Sunday school superintendent. Enter
tainment will be furnished all who attend
The Portland daily press., 1887-10-15
suNcHEs OF GOLDEN ROD.
The Presidents Journey to Memphis
Yesterday.

MOUNTAIN GROVE, Mo-, Oct. 14.-The
Presidential special passed here at 7.25 a. m.
At dozen other stations during the night
large crowds were present, cheering for the
President.
HoxIE, Ark, Oct. 14.-The floral trophies
of the forenoon's ride are only little punches
of golden rod. pinned in piece of pink pa
per, and inscribed for the President and
wife. 1t was handed the President by a
tow-headed miss Of 13. at water tank stop
ping place. At half dozen points this
morning, there have been gatherings Of
from 100 to 300 people, whose tumultuous
greetings were most courteously acknowl-
edged by the President and Mrs. Cleveland.
At one point a company Of lancerS were
drawn up in line, with arms at present At
another point, where the locomotive was
coaled, the natives had an opportunity to
shake the Presidents hand.
MEMPHIS, Tenn, Oct IA. - The train
reached West Memphis at 2.40 o'clock The
excursionists were met by various commit
tees, and were invited on board the steamer
Kate, where they were met by about 200 eiti-
zens and their wives. The boat was decked
with flags, and the cabin was a bower of
roses. salute was fired, the band played,
and the vessel went about three miles up the
stream to give the President an opportunity
to see the works of river improvement in
progress. Turning around she came back to
the custom house. where the guests landed.
The Portland daily press., 1887-10-15
GEN ERAL N EWS.

The Amoskeag Veterans observed their
annual field day In Nashua, N. H., yesterday.
The Bell Telephone Company have brought
suit for infringement against the Southern
Company.
The defalcation of Cashier Hicks, of the
Stafford Springs, Conn.,, Bank, will cause
very little loss to the depositors.
Col T. p Pierce, of Nashua, n. H., a vet
eran Of the Mexican war and the rebellion,
died of apoplexy while serving as chairman
at the reception 10 the AmosKeag Veterans
last night.
A Frenchman, named William Maeblane,
was shot and killed by an Italian in West
chester, Conn.,, Thursday.
Rev. DIR. David Kerr, editor CT the United
Presbyterian, is dead, at the age of 50.
The Thistle started from New York for
home yesterday morning.
The cotton movement and fluctuations for
the past year, just published. estimates that
the crop OF the United States for 1878 Will
am Junt to 6.550,c0O bales against s sos, coo
bales for 1857.
The committee recommends the engage
ment OF Rev. Lyman Abbott to Temporarily
MI the pulpit Of Henry Ward Beeeher's
church.
The Portland daily press., 1887-10-15
YOUNG STAINS HOME.
What an Occupant of the Same
House Says OF Him.

AUGUSTA, Oct. l4-A reporter hunted up
the residence of Charles Francis Stain yes
terday. Stains home consists of five OF six
rooms rather poorly, though comfortably
furnished. What furniture there is is not of
a very expensive kind. The rooms exhib-
tied some confusion, and in reply to inquir-
les his neighbor said: "My wife came
down stairs last Monday morning, on an err
rand, and could not find any one, at home.
When my wife found them gone she imme-
diately concluded that their departure had
something to no with what Mrs. Stain had
told her concerning her husbands father be-
ing concerned in the Dexter bank robbery.
About two weeks ago Stain went away,
leaving his family in my charge; said he
should be gone three or four days but Of
fered no further explanation. After he had
gone his wife told my wife that he had gone
to Boston with some men from up river, to
identify and assist in bringing the Dexter
bank robbers to justice, one of whom was
his father She said that her husband was
young and that his father compelled him to
assist in the business by driving and keep
ing in readiness the team with which they
were to, and did make their escape after the
robbery. We did not credit the story at the
time, and so said nothing about it,. But the
sudden departure of the family, leaving no
word of explanation, aroused our suspicious
and we concluded there was some truth in
the story"
The reporter next found Landlord Savage
of Hotel North, and learned that Stain came
there to work August 13, and was discharged
September IT, He was employed as porter,
and his wife as chambermaid, and each re-
ceived $40 per month and board. Mr.. Saw
age spoke in very complimentary terms of
the capabilities of Stains wife, but said he
was obliged to discharge Stain because he
was not faithful in the performance of his
duties Mr.. Savage said also that Stain re-
quested to see an old register which was in
the hotel at Bingham in 1878, when Mr.. Saw
age was landlord of that house, asserting
that he wanted it for legal purposes in con-
nection with the Dexter bank robbery case.
Stain, while at Hotel North. declared several
times that ne would 'have some money some
day if he succeeded in his schemes.
The Portland daily press., 1887-10-15
CAN NOT REMEMBER.
Medfield Memories Too Short to Re-
call the Prisoners Whereabouts

BOSTON. Oct. 14.-Medfield was visited
yesterday afternoon to see if Smith, or
Cromwell, as he is called by some, could
prove an alibi by any of the persons men,
toned by him on the train. Mr.. Thomas L.
Barney, grocer, was the first man to whom
reference was made. Mr.. Barney told the
reporter that he had no recollection what
ever of the movements of either Stain OF
Smith.
Mr.. Isaac Codding, his assistant, referred
to the books and saw that he visited Smiths
house on Thursdays, February IA, 81 and %,
1878, but there was nothing to show that
Smith himself was there.
Mr.. Joseph F. johnson, baker, could not
remember having seen either of the men at
the time specified, neither could Mr.. Angus
tus Fits, grocer.
Smith stated positively that he could prove
an alibi by these gentlemen.
John Harvey, a member of the alleged
gang, was found last evening by the report
er. He confessed, in the course of the con-
versation, that he was in State prison at the
time of the Dexter murder for breaking into
the Needham depot. Smith can't prove an
alibi by me-" he said. He then said that
about four years ago Cromwell told him that
about five years previous to that he had been
in Dexter and Waterville and other places in
Maine. That was about the time of the Dex.
ter robbery.
The Portland daily press., 1887-10-15
CONVINCED OF THEIR IDENTITY.
Dexter Citizens Who Think TneY Re-
member the Prisoners.

DEXTER, Oct. 14.-A number of Dexter
citizens are reported as willing to swear that
they saw Stain and Cromwell in the town on
the day of Treasurer Barron's death. Mr..
Thomas Bicknell saw two strangers-one
very distinctly-in the doorway at the foot
of the stairs leading to the bank on the day
of Mr.. Barron's death. He was in the
crowd at the hotel last evening when the
prisoners arrived. He supposed that but
one was coming, and when one of them was
led by he said: That is no man that re-
member of seeing before" He then started
for home but Immediately met some one
with the other prisoner. and Mr.. Bicknell, on
seeing him, exclaimed: THAT is the same
man | saw here nine years ago in the bank
building" Mr.. Bicknell says he cannot for
get the features of the man, which are very
peculiar. His moustache, which, when he
was here before was sandy, is now colored
black, but this did not deceive him for he
recognized him.
Capt. ID. W. McCrillis says he passed Stain
on the street ON the day of Barron's death,
close enough to touch him, and looked him
square in the face, at first thinking he was
an acquaintance.
The Portland daily press., 1887-10-15
STAIN CROWS TALKATIvE.
He Calls His Son Erratic and aiHorse
Thief
Especial to the Press


DEXTER, Oct. 14.-Stain, who, heretofore
has been very reticent, was visited today and
consented to be interviewed somewhat He
charge of keeper.
"Where was your native placer" was the
first query.
Il was born in Mt. Vernon, in $780," he
replied.
''Who was your father2"
'His name was Capt. Stain; so called be-
cause he was captain of a militia company.
He resided at Locke's Corner and was we'll
known there"
"How was your early youth passed?"
Il went to Natick, Mass. when II years of
age and lived there until | was "a. Then
removed to Medfeld, Mass, where ! lived
until five years ago, when l went to Frank
lin, where have resided since"
what have you to say about your sonP"
''He is q years old and left me when 20
years Of age. / have not known his where
abouts for nine or ten years, and have seen
him but once during that time, and then only
for few minutes"
"Was your son Charles of sound mind ?''
81 never considered him very brilliant
He was of erratic turn Of mind"
"Has he been man of good character ?"
81 cannot say that he has. He has been
charged with committing several crimes and
at one time served term lof three years in
State prison for horse stealing. He and a
chum stole a horse in Auburn, drove to
Waterville, thence to China, where they left
the team. They were afterwards appre :
hended and while my son was convicted. the
other was acquitted. At that time Charles
wrote to me to obtain $50 to help him out Of
the scrape but / refused to give him the
money because had already thrown away a
large sum on him."
SIS there any difficulty between you and
Charles?"
mot that am aware Of; we were always
on good terms"
"Was Charles ever married?"
"He has had four wives, and was never
divorced from any of them"
A Dexter gentleman who is well acquaint-
ed in Mt. Vernon talked with Stain today,
and the latter displayed a quite thorough
knowledge of the town and the people re-
siding therein. He has admitted today in
conversation with certain parties whom he
considers his friends that he was not in Med
field on the day of the tragedy, although
heretofore he has maintained that he was ia
home.